The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1887-07-30

STORY OF A RECLUSE.
In one of the mountainous coun-
ties of Wales there lived for many
years a hermit of whom no one
had any knowledge. His abode
was a cave; in a wild region; and
he never appeared among his fel-
low beings except to obtain such
necessaries as his hermit life re-
quired. He would never, while
living, reveal his name nor place OF
birth, nor the cause which had led
him to seclu1e himself from the
world.
One day a couple of travellers
passing through that region visited
the cave and found the hermit not
only dead but in a state of decom-
position.
The body, after an inquest, was
buried, and some garments and q
few trifles which belonged to the
deceased were deposited at the
nearest magistrates office, with a
full statement of the facts.
In a pocket Of one of these gar
ments was found a manuscript,
supposed to have been written by
the deceased, and which, as it tells
its own story, we here transcribe
without word of comment:
/ was born in a year l shall not
record, in a place l shall not reveal
and under name / shall not dis
close.
For many long years have been
dead to the world, and my desire
now is that the waves of oblivion
shall roll over me and leave me as
if | had never been.
And yet there are some facts in
my life which l wish to set forth
Why?
Well, l doubt if 1 can tell any
one why.
only know that the impulse is
on me to write them down, perhaps
to destroy the record when done.
My youth passed pleasantly.
/ had kind, indulgent and pious
parents, who sought to make my
life happy one.
| was sent to school at an early
age and kept there till l had ac'
quired a good English education
Then at my own request | be-
came and under-clerk i'll the large
dry goods establishment of a pros
porous merchant.
BS strict integrity and diligence
l gradually rose to first position
At two-and-twenty l had the
confidence OF my employer, and
was often invited to his dwelling.
At first this made me very happy
and as | looked forward then the
future seemed very bright. But
alas, and alas this was the begin
ming of sorrow which will never
end while | remain on earth.
My employer had a daughter
kind, gentle, lovely being-who, to
my enraptured vision, seemed an
angel just come down from Para
disc.
From the moment l first beheld
her my whole soul went out to her,
and from that time forth l could
conceive of no enjoyment in which
she had no part.
AS | am confessing this to my
self, or to world that will never
know me, l will say that loved
her to a degree of worship that
made her a something above and
beyond my reach; and though
naturally easy and fluent in con.
versation, l could not speak to hel
without.changing color and chok-
ing, and appearing more like an
idiot than a man of sense.
This made me avoid meeting her
when alone, or pressing forward to
take my chance with those who
were seeking her at every Opportu-
nifty, perhaps because of liking fol
herself, perhaps because of liking
for the money she would inherit.
l do not think she ever suspected
me of having any regard for her
beyond that of her being the
daughter of my employer whom !
was in duty bound to treat with re.
spectful Difference, and certain
am she had no conception OF the
holy love and worship | secretl,
gave her.
AS l have said l avoided as much
as possible coming in contact with
her-would have gone a mile ou'
Of INV way rather than speak te
,I vo< her nresenco. in any